Gen Y plan a boozy Australia Day

Jessica Grewal
Senior Reporter APN Newsdesk NSW Bureau
Working from Sydney, Jessica specialises in crime/court reporting, filing for APN’s regional mastheads in Northern NSW as well as providing national content for the group.
She was previously Chief Reporter at the Fraser Coast Chronicle in Hervey Bay, Queensland where she grew up and trained.
Early in her career, she was named Queensland Young Journalist of the Year at the Clarion Awards.
More recently, she was finalist at the 2013 Kennedy Awards for Excellence in NSW Journalism in both the...

IT IS no secret that Aussies like to have a drink, but a study has found Generation Y actually believe it "un-Australian" to steer clear of booze on the nation's holiday.

Alcohol abstinence advocates Febfast revealed yesterday that 28% of 18-24-year-olds believed drinking on Australia Day was an important part of celebrating their identity.

Febfast CEO Howard Ralley told the Sydney Morning Herald long weekends were a time to "let our hair down" and that usually went hand in hand with drinking.

He said it was also the last weekend Australians got to celebrate before the summer holidays were over.

Extra police have been rostered on at stations around the country in the likely event some celebrate a little too much.

In NSW, acting police commissioner Michael Fuller said thousands of additional officers would be targeting alcohol-fuelled violence and anti-social behaviour and urged everyone to "look out for themselves and their mates who might be intoxicated and vulnerable".

"Australia Day is more than just a public holiday and it should be an enjoyable event for all Australians and any overseas visitors joining the celebrations," Mr Fuller said.

"Act responsibly and know your limits.

"Take the time to think about the consequences of your actions, remembering that alcohol impairs your judgement, leading to poor decisions and sometimes dangerous behaviour.

"By acting responsibly, you might save a life - and it might be yours."